Brazil's Supreme Court Orders Mayor's Return to Office in Governador Valadares

The Superior Federal Court (STF) in Brazil has issued a preliminary injunction suspending the legislative decree that removed Coronel Sandro from his position as Mayor of Governador Valadares. Minister Flávio Dino ordered Sandro Lúcio Fonseca, known as Coronel Sandro, to be immediately reinstated. The Mayor's mandate had been revoked by the Municipal Chamber on May 14th, following a lengthy extraordinary session where councilors considered three alleged political-administrative infractions related to the city's school transportation. Minister Dino's decision, based on a preliminary review, indicated potential procedural violations during the administrative process in the Municipal Chamber. Specifically, the process may have contravened Supreme Court Binding Precedent No. 46, which reserves the exclusive authority of the federal government to establish procedural rules for the impeachment of mayors. The ruling highlighted that the decree-law requires the reading and deliberation on a complaint, the establishment of a processing committee, and the election of its president and rapporteur in the same session following the complaint's receipt. In this case, the complaint was filed in February, but its reading and acceptance were delayed until a session on March 2nd. The Minister found that this procedural deviation could constitute an encroachment on federal legislative authority, irrespective of any prejudice to the mayor's defense. Consequently, the injunction suspends Legislative Decree No. 916/2026, which revoked Coronel Sandro's mandate, and mandates his immediate return to office, pending ratification by the STF's First Panel. Coronel Sandro expressed his satisfaction with the decision, reiterating his claims of an irregular impeachment process and stating his intention to implement changes in his government team and review actions taken during his absence. The Municipal Chamber stated it had not yet been formally notified but maintained that its proceedings adhered to legal and regulatory norms. The Prefecture also indicated no official notification had been received.